Portable Tablesaws

A new breed of small, powerful saws is a perfect fit for tight shops

Synopsis: Are benchtop tablesaws a realistic alternative to full-size tablesaws for serious woodworkers and furniture makers? Patrick McCombe tested six new saws from Bosch, Craftsman, DeWalt, Jet, Makita, and Ridgid. To be considered for the test, saws had to have riving knives and at least 24 in. of rip capacity. He found that all these small tablesaws had good power and made high-quality cuts. The differences were essentially in the details.

The first benchtop tablesaws were little more than portable circular saws mounted upside down in plastic housings. They lacked the power and precision required to make furniture. But these saws have evolved into larger and more substantial machines, capable of surprising accuracy. And the latest models have European-style riving knives, a much better safety option than the old-school splitters.

Given their rolling stands, light weight, and small footprints, these little saws are the perfect choice for woodworkers who have downsized…

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